Russia's government justifies internet disruptions by citing national security and people's safety.
Russia has seen a significant increase in intentional mobile internet shutdowns, with at least 200 documented cases between May and June 2025, primarily aimed at countering Ukrainian drone attacks. These shutdowns, which often disrupt vital services like emergency communications, online banking, and transit operations, have become a daily occurrence and affect numerous regions across the country, including major cities and remote areas.
The Russian authorities have justified these shutdowns as a defensive measure to disable drone geolocation and navigation systems. However, the frequency and scale of these shutdowns, particularly in areas without any reported drone activity, suggest a broader, possibly preventive or controlling approach by the authorities.
June alone saw a steep rise, with reports indicating about 654 intentional mobile data shutdowns in June, nearly ten times more than in May. These June shutdowns exceeded the total number of government-directed shutdowns worldwide during all of 2024. Some regions like Omsk have experienced almost constant disruptions throughout June, despite being far from the Ukrainian border.
The regions affected include southwestern, northwestern, and Siberian regions, the city of Izhevsk (site of an air defense manufacturing plant targeted by drones), distant areas such as Omsk, Krasnoyarsk Krai, the Sakha Republic, and even the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, far from the frontlines. Border regions such as Bryansk and Kursk have faced more frequent outages than neighboring Belgorod and Oryol regions. Specific localities like the Usolsky District in Irkutsk have struggled with persistent blackouts, significantly impacting daily life and critical services.
The increasing control over internet and media space in Russia is evident in the growing legislative and regulatory pressure on internet access and content. There are indications of a new bill under debate in the Duma that would fine individuals for viewing or sharing extremist content, reflecting the Kremlin's tightening grip on online information flows. The content considered extremist can include LGBTQ+ content and expressions of opposition to the war in Ukraine that began in 2022.
While the details of this new bill are not yet specified, the Kremlin's justification for these frequent internet shutdowns is based on national security concerns related to the war in Ukraine. Presidential spokesman Dmitri Peskov stated that anything related to security and citizen protection is justified and a priority. However, independent social media outlets suggest that these shutdowns are also being conducted to test censorship or in anticipation of possible protests.
In summary, the increasing internet shutdowns in Russia are a significant concern, causing disruptions to vital services and daily life. While the authorities justify these shutdowns as a defensive tactic against drone attacks, their frequency and scale, particularly in areas without direct threats, suggest a broader approach. The proposed bill under debate in the Duma, aimed at fining individuals for seeking information from content considered extremist, further raises concerns about internet censorship and freedom of information in Russia.
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts between Russia and Ukraine have led to a contentious politics surrounding internet access, with the Russian authorities justifying frequent internet shutdowns as a defensive measure but independent sources suggesting they are also used for broader, possibly preventive or controlling purposes, or even to test censorship and suppress dissent on issues such as LGBTQ+ rights and opposition to the war.
- As political tensions escalate, there is a general-news trend of increased control over the internet and media space in Russia, with indications of upcoming legislation that could potentially fine individuals for viewing or sharing content deemed extremist, a move that raises concerns about crime-and-justice implications, freedom of information, and the erosion of democratic values.
